DIY Place Card Board

I needed a quick, easy and inexpensive way to display place cards for a wedding. But, of course, I also wanted it to be really cute. So this is what I did...

The board is a piece of foam board, purchased at Walgreens for $4. This particular one is 22X28 and fit 45 standard sized place cards, so depending on the number of guests you may need multiple boards. The ribbon was from Walmart and was $1.47 a roll and I used about 1.5 rolls.


Step 1: I figured out how many cards I could fit across (five) and so I knew I needed 9 rows. To keep good spacing I measured out every 3 inches and used a pencil to mark the spot.

Step 2: Lay your ribbon across leaving about an inch and a half on each side. You can prepare ahead and cut all the ribbon at once.

Step 3: Flip the board over. Wrap the ribbon edges around the back side of the board and tape on one end. I used black electrical tape so that it wouldn't show up against the black board. Before you tape the other end of the ribbon make sure to pull it very tight, to remove any slack in the ribbon, then tape that end.















Step 4: Continue taping the ribbons down the board, following your measured out pencil marks
to ensure each line is straight.


























Step 5: Place the cards tented over the ribbon in alphabetical order and VOILA!!!

Less than 30 minutes and under $8 and I had an adorable board that received many compliments! I set the board on an easel but thought a metal book stand on a table would be cute too, especially if you need more than one board.

Stacy & TJ - Reception 09-12-09

My sister in law was married in North Carolina in June. They had a very small intimate ceremony with only close friends and family. So wanting to celebrate more and party with more friends and family we decided to throw them a reception here in Michigan this past weekend.

My Mother in law and I planned the reception and it turned out just wonderful. The bride wasn't allowed to see the room before it was finished and upon arriving for the reception she was speechless! Almost to tears, it was perfect, just what I was hoping for.

For dinner we chose to do stations of hors d' oeuvres, both hot and cold. All the guests loved the idea and I heard many people say they had more than enough to eat. (of course, I didn't get pictures of the stations!)

Venue: GVSU Alumni House, Allendale
Catering: GVSU Classic Fare Catering
Cake: Second Floor Bakery
Floral: Memorable Events
Glassware: Events by I. Candy
DJ: DJ Vybes
Photographer: Randy Willis
Chair Covers: Elegant Chair Covers




Thanks again to all the vendors for doing such an amazing job!

Congrats, Stacy and TJ, welcome to the family!

Keep an eye out for the DIY Place card board step by step post coming later this week!

Dream Wedding Giveaway

(source)

Are you on a strict budget and not sure how you are going to afford your dream wedding? Or do you know a friend or a family member that really deserves that dream wedding but won't be able to have it? Register for the Dream Wedding Giveaway through the Wedding Card.

What all is involved in winning the contest? What isn't!?

Here is a sample of what the winner will receive:

Wedding Coordinator (Me!)
Engagement pictures
Wedding Day pictures
Trash the Dress pictures
Bride's Dress
Groom's Tux
Centerpieces
Favors
Flowers (Bride's bouquet and for ceremony location)
Reception Venue (located in Holland)
Dinner for Reception
Rental Equipment for Reception
Wedding Cake
Groom's Cake
Rehearsal Dinner (venue and dinner)
Make-up for bride
Even catering for shower's and an engagement party

And that's not even all that will be in the package!!

How do you get registered? Follow this link to fill out the information form and you are on your way to the wedding of your dreams. The winner will be chosen and announced at A Bridal Affair on Friday, September 25, 2009.

New Website and Email

Hello all!

I have finally updated my website domain and my email.

New site: www.MemorableEventsLLC.com

Email: Michelle@MemorableEventsLLC.com

The old ones still work and are just getting forwarded for now but eventually everything will switch over.

Thanks! Have a great holiday weekend!

DIY Petal Cones

I offered to run some errands and pick up some last minute items for a client and on the list were paper cones for the tossing rose petals. Easy enough I thought, I'll just go to Hobby Lobby or Michaels and pick some up. Ummm...nope! My mom and I were out one day and looked everywhere! We even started just looking for anything that we could make into cones, I was getting very frustrated. A couple of days later my mom called from the parking lot of Walmart saying "she thinks she found something that would work". Walmart carries a line of Wilton cake supplies including...10" white grease proof doilies with a lace like die cut edge. My mom is brilliant!!!

There are 10 doilies per package for $1.98, so out of one package you can get 20 cones. For this wedding we only needed 40 so it cost us under $4!


Step 1: Cut the doilies in half to make 20


Step 2: Roll each half into a cone shape, there is a smooth side and a rough side of the pattern, I rolled it with the rough side facing in. After a couple you will figure out the trick to getting the edges to line up.















Step 3: Tape or glue stick the edges, both inside and out. I used a small piece of double sided tape on the top corner where the pattern is because there isn't a lot to hold glue there.


Step 4: Fill with flower petals of your choice!

Have fun and enjoy!!

Holland Historical Venues

If you are looking for intimate unique venues for wedding ceremonies, receptions, cocktail parties, showers or all of the above take a look at the Holland Museums. There are multiple venues available, the Holland Museum, the Armory and the Cappon House and Visitors Center. All are rich in history and would turn your party into an event. In addition to your rental fee you are given the opportunity for you and your guests to tour the building and exhibits during the time of your event. Renters are allowed to bring in their own caterer or to choose from a list provided by the rental coordinator. Bar service is also allowed on site.






The Museum lobby can hold up to 150 for a stand up cocktail/appetizer reception or around 40-50 for a sit down reception. The Museum is directly across the street from Centennial Park which has a gazebo perfect for ceremonies and then your guests could walk right over to the reception.






The Cappon House and Visitors Center is lovely for an outdoor ceremony and a tented reception. There is a nice porch/front entrance that is a nice backdrop for the ceremony and there is plenty of lawn space for smaller tents. Inside there are a few rooms available for public use. The dining room can handle a sit down dinner or luncheon for 24 or a stand-up reception for 40.





The Armory building has recently undergone some renovations so the pictures on their site are outdated. They have opened up the ceiling and have redone the floor to get away from the gymnasium look. The Armory can hold up to 500 people for a sit down reception but would also be a good site for a trade show, fundraiser or some other event where you would need a lot of room to spread out.

On-site Coordinators

I am often asked if couples should still hire an independent day of coordinator if their reception venue has an on-site coordinator. The answer is Yes.

Most reception venue have someone on their staff that acts as an on-site coordinator, working directly with the couples and as a liaison between the couple and the venue staff. But remember they are employed by the venue not by you, they will always have their own best interest in mind not yours. Depending on the size of the venue this coordinator may have other responsibilities beyond special events so their focus may be in multiple areas. If you have issues with one of your other vendors (DJ, florist, caterer, etc.) you will be the one handling this on your big day, not them. It is very frustrating when couples give all their wedding details to the event coordinator at the venue and work with that specific person during the entire planning process and then that person is not working the night of the reception and those details have not been passed on.

Hiring an independent coordinator takes a lot of pressure off of you and your family. They will deal with any issues that come up. When you hire someone they are being paid to be your advocate and to take care of your needs. And often you have worked closely with your coordinator over the last few months and have built a good relationship with them. You have gone over all the details with your coordinator, they know the event as well as you do so this will help to eliminate people bombarding you with questions all night and help to keep things from falling through the cracks. And of course, the obvious reason of having your own coordinator. This person will be with you all day, running the ceremony, the set up and then the reception.

On-site coordinators serve their purpose and can be very helpful when you have questions regarding the venue and its policies. But if you are in need of assistance on your big day and are concerned with having any issues handled in your best interest don't hesitate, hire a day of coordinator.